Why Won't My Newborn Settle?

Oct 17

6 min read

By Dr. Michael Tebbe, DC

Photo of Dr. Tebbe with a baby on the table during a visit (Dr. Michael has chosen it and will send the file), used with the parents' permission.

Some newborns stay unsettled because their body is still adjusting to birth, and gentle chiropractic care may support babies who carry tension in the neck and upper back. I look at how your baby moves, then use very light contact to support easier movement. I work alongside your pediatrician.

You lay your baby down and their arms fly up. Their back arches. Within minutes they're awake again. You've swaddled, rocked, fed, burped and changed the white noise. You're exhausted and wondering what you're missing.

Be gentle with yourself, because this is common and you are not doing anything wrong.

Why Won't My Newborn Settle? Understanding Your Baby's Nervous System

If your newborn won't settle, you're not alone. A newborn's nervous system is still learning to regulate itself, so some babies startle, arch and fuss more easily than others. Most of the time, this settles as the baby matures. When it doesn't, I look at whether the body is moving freely.

My approach follows the research of Dr. Heidi Haavik. The joints of the spine are full of sensors that tell the brain where the body is and how it's moving. When a segment moves less freely, that stream of information changes. The brain uses it to coordinate movement and to adjust to the world around it. When it isn't getting a clear picture of the body, it has to guess, and a brain that is guessing gets stressed.

Researchers call this sensorimotor integration, and studies show that spinal adjustments change how the brain processes this sensory information and controls muscles. Here is why that matters if your baby is fussy. A brain that perceives its body and its surroundings more clearly may regulate the whole body better, including digestion, sleep and the immune system. This isn't fully validated by research on babies yet, but I think it follows logically, because the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, which sense balance and body position, are the first to develop in the womb. Her work suggests the change happens in the brain's awareness of the body.

That is the idea behind my tagline, Better Movement. Better Brain.

Can birth leave tension in a baby's neck and back?

A long labor, a tight position in the womb or a delivery that needed assistance can leave a baby with less movement in the neck and upper back. I can't say every unsettled baby has this, and many babies need nothing more than time. I see it often enough in my office to know a gentle look is worthwhile.

In my experience, babies are often more relaxed after a session, and many parents tell me their baby sleeps longer stretches afterward. That fits the logic above: a brain with a clearer picture of the body can settle more easily.

One mom's story: Jess had a 30-hour labor, and a vacuum was used at the end of delivery. Her baby latched right away but didn't open her mouth very wide, and breastfeeding was painful. I visited their home when her baby was two days old.

In Jess's words: "I just felt like the tension in her shoulders and her neck was just like, melted away." Her baby had been crying a lot, and afterward she was calm. As the visits went on, "the breastfeeding got easier and easier and her latch was better. I probably attribute a lot of that to just her being less tense."

Every baby is different, and I can't promise this result for yours.

What signs might show a baby is holding tension?

Common signs include a strong preference for one side, fussing during tummy time and feeding better on one breast or bottle position. These patterns have many causes, and a pattern that repeats day after day is worth a conversation. My guide, 5 signs your baby is carrying tension, goes into more detail. To download it, go to my baby chiropractic page and click the button that says "5 signs your baby is carrying tension."

What you notice	What I look at
Turns the head to one side far more than the other	Neck rotation and how the head rests
Fusses within seconds of tummy time	Movement in the cranial joints, neck and pelvis
Feeds well on one side and struggles on the other	Neck, shoulders and how the jaw moves
Arches during or after feeds	Mid back and overall posture
Sleeps only when held	The whole pattern of movement, feeding and comfort

What does a gentle newborn visit look like?

A newborn visit is short and quiet. I start with a conversation, watch your baby move, and use contact only where they're comfortable. The pressure is about what you'd use to check the ripeness of an avocado. You're welcome to feed or hold your baby at any point.

I listen to your baby's birth story and ask about feeding and sleep.
I watch how your baby lies, turns and moves.
I gently check the neck, upper back and pelvis for areas that are tight.
If an area feels held, I use light, steady contact and handheld red light therapy until it calms. The red light is a gentle, quick way to help a tight area release tension and become soft and supple again, so it can move more freely.
I share what I found and what I'd suggest next. You decide what feels right.

One mom, Amanda, put it this way: "I think right away I just knew you were a really nice guy and you didn't just barge in and grab the baby. You ask questions."

You can read more about Baby care at Bright Start Chiropractic.

When should I call my pediatrician first?

Call your pediatrician or seek medical care first if your baby is under three months old with a fever of 100.4°F or higher, has trouble breathing, refuses to feed, has fewer wet diapers than usual or is hard to wake. Chiropractic care doesn't replace a medical evaluation, and I'll refer you when something needs a closer look.

What is the next step?

If this sounds like your baby, I'd be glad to talk it through with you. You can book a Baby First Visit or Call/Text 424-259-1432 the office with your questions. You can ask whatever is on your mind.

Frequently asked questions

Is chiropractic care safe for newborns?

I use very light contact on newborns, about the pressure you'd use to check the ripeness of an avocado. I begin with a conversation and an exam, and I only work where your baby is comfortable. Every baby is different, so I explain what I find and what I'd suggest, and I work alongside your pediatrician.

How old does a baby need to be to see a chiropractor?

There's no minimum age. I have seen babies as young as one day old, and many parents bring their baby in during the first weeks after birth. At the first visit, I talk with you about what's going on with your baby, gently check their body for tight spots and share my recommendations. I only provide care with your consent.

How do I know if my baby is just fussy or holding tension?

Fussiness is a normal part of the newborn period, and one rough evening doesn't mean anything is wrong. I look for patterns that repeat, such as a strong preference for one side, trouble with tummy time or feeding better on one side. If you notice a pattern, it's worth a conversation.

Will my baby cry during a visit?

Many babies stay calm, and some fuss if they're hungry or tired. I keep visits short and quiet, and you're welcome to feed or hold your baby at any point. If your baby needs a break, I pause. It helps to schedule around a feed and a nap.

How many visits does a newborn need?

It depends on what I find. After the first visit I share what I noticed and suggest a plan, then revisit it with you as your baby changes. I'd rather see your baby for fewer visits with a clear reason than follow a fixed schedule.

What does the research say about chiropractic care and the brain?

Dr. Heidi Haavik and other researchers report that spinal adjustments change how the brain processes sensory information from the body and controls muscles. A brain with a clearer picture of the body has less guessing to do, so it may regulate digestion, sleep and the immune system better. Research on babies isn't fully validated yet, but this follows logically, and it's borne out in my experience and that of many other chiropractors.

Can chiropractic care help my baby sleep?

In my experience, many babies are more relaxed after a session, and many parents tell me their baby sleeps longer stretches. I can't promise that result for every baby. Sleep also depends on feeding, development and the sleep environment. I look at whether tension in the body may be part of the picture, and I'll tell you honestly what I see.

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